Modern Architecture of Muqarnas in Damascus: An Original Computational Methodology

Abstract

The research aimed to revive muqarnas using digital computational tools, drawing on the techniques of Damascene craftsmen and ancient manuscripts. It involved designing contemporary muqarnas with double-curvature vaults and large spans, incorporating new unit designs and compositional techniques. In Section I, the researcher conducted pre-design studies on four muqarnas types, each associated with one of the four Damascene architectural styles. These studies examined the geometry and behavior of muqarnas types when used on traditional domed surfaces. Section II included a design study of the Dome of the Eagle of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, using modern software tools such as Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper. The design study explored various sizes, forms, and functions for contemporary muqarnas vaults. In Section III, the final design was based on a hexagonal grid with clusters of three rhombi, each forming a hyperbolic paraboloid shell. It allowed lateral movement and a variety of compositions, making the building a macrocosm of muqarnas. The development process involved five iterations, and the final iteration produced the best results, combining efficiency and elegance, resulting in a shell division that followed the surface geometry. The Grasshopper definition was introduced to add complexity and a smoother exterior shell. The design successfully analyzed traditional muqarnas and developed a four-stage process, including Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining, mold-making, slip casting, and glazing, to produce six units at a 1:2 scale.